Infected with sound

Hi and happy Halloween!

I just lost my Infektio (infection) virginity last night and was happy to do so finally! I had no idea what to expect, I just went out of curiosity to this long-running dark club. And I am glad I did. From the first set by Dj VoyVod evening was musical education for me. VoyVod played really strong opening set, which was nicely varied case. Only the tribal rhythm track wasn't to my liking, but hell, that is only one track in the whole set! Set build nicely and VoyVod put on an energetic show on stage. Always happy to see djs who really love the music they play.

Next up Memmaker. This was one the never-heard cases for me, like most of the night. They rocked big time. I just ended up buying their whole discography thanks to that set on next day. That is best recommendation I can come up with. Sonically they are somewhere in the line of industrial, hard nrg and some electro/edm vibes thrown in to spice things up. Those guys also had high energy levels on stage, jumping and raving like lunatics. This alone was worth the ticket price, these 2 hours. Their music is indeed interesting blend of genres and it really works. It felt like genre-blending was the theme of the night and that is only good thing. That keeps things interesting and moving forward.

Emanon played sure-fire set of industrial/ebm grooves and it kicked arse. No bad tunes at all and he kept things moving well. And he built the energy levels perfectly for Zardonic. I really liked his set a lot, so hope to hear him play soon. The set had enough energy to move yer feet without lacking melodies.

Zardonic up next. Zardo-who? This is another case of never-heard to me. I only read some things of what to expect, but that didn't prepare me for this. What do you get when you put metal, drum&bass and a mask in a blender and turn it up to the max? You get Zardonic: Metal meets d&b. That formula shouldn't work at all. but audience went wild with his live. I wasn't sure if I was at heavy metal gig or at d&b rave, but I gotta admit, the mixture of these genres was interesting, eventhough not my cup of tea. It works at club, but wouldn't listen to it at home. He put on energetic performance and the mast was cool.

Last set I hear was by Proteus. This set was something. Total mixture of all sorts of metal guitars ranging from heavy metal to hardcore techno. Literally. This really to balls to pull off and he did it. Always energetic performer and spot-on mixing won the audience over. And to me it was interesting one, since all the trakcs of various genres shared guitars (duh, of course) but also same wild, raw energy. This was perfect ending for my night and I left Gloria smiling and felt like I experienced something unique, new and educational.

Friends like these aka Mesh live at Postbahnhof Club, Berlin

Hi all!

Back home from the trip to berlin and as always, it was fun. I just love that city. So now it is time to tell you guys of Mesh gig at Berlin I attended to.You could say that I'm still looking for a runaway to land from this height.

First up was how am I going to get to the club and find it (it was rather easy). The club itself is bit hidden, but there are good directions to it, just follow the posters and it is easy place to get by public transport luckily. The clun itself is old building with two halls, so the gig was at one and the after party at the other one. Easy as abc and works really well. They did say after party would be next door, but didn't expect it to be this literally. I like these old building that are converted to concert clubs, they have that nice underground feel to them that I like. Only complainment would be place to sit.

Okay let's move on the main thing we're addicted to: music. First up Empathy Test. I saw them live about 6 minths ago when they opened for De/Vision at Lido (finally remembered the name of the club!). This time, the band sounded and worked much much better. Singer's voice seemed to carry better and it felt like he was singing from the heart. Also they developed some stage charisma too during these months. Nice surpirse indeed! Set was short and tight and worked well as opener of the night. Too bad many people missed their show. If you like your music more slow/midtempo and dreamy, this is a band to check out. At your own home I think their music will work even better than at a club.

Aesthetic Perfection is up next. I was really happy to hear that they would be playing at Berlin gig too and was excited of this. What can I say of this band? It was like hurricane took over the stage and came right in yer face and suddenly left the stage and left you feeling like what the heck did I just saw?!?! That is honestly best description I can come up with the band. Almost lost my breath watching them on stage. That positive energy, rawness combined to damn good music is just winning combination.

And what is it with keyboard players that they all are maniacs on stage? Here I witnessed one climbing to the top of the keyboard several times and raving like a lunatic. Singer new excatly how to work the crowd up and he has really good voice too. The whole package is well-thought and works like a charm. Musically they are in the bit harsher end of ebm I think, with partially rough vocals and tight melodies. Perfect music to dance to. First time ever I've witnessed a keyboard with a key standing up after the gig. Hope they got it fixed for the next show... That was like little missile going off on the stage.

And we are at the main event now: Mesh. I gotta first say that bands like these have the BEST crowd possible. Everybody is so friendly and polite, no pushing/walking over or anything like that. You can just relax and enjoy the show. That is quite rare sadly. And crowd really lived and breathed every second of the show. That enthusiasm of the crowd was impossible to resist and made the night even more magical.

The opening animation was just beautiful and electrifed atmospehere. That was superb way to open the set! Other animations suited music really well too and gave that nice extra touch to the songs and performance. This was indeed my first time seeing Mesh live, so I can't compare it to previous shows luckily. Set list was really sweet, latest album played almost completely with older songs dropped in too. Can't complain, it seemed like perfect solution.

Band played a long set, over 2 hours I heard afterwards, but it only seemed like 30 minutes or so. Why is it that gigs always seem to end too soon? And as always it seems with Berlin, there was tehcnical difficulties, but band dealt that with humour like true pros. Same happened with De/Vision about 6 months ago in Berlin. Am I cursed, or is it the city? Oh well, the fixer was called and show went on like nothing had happened. Well, these things happen with technology these days.

Special mentoning goes for Friends Like These backing video. They had fan's pics projected there that were took at gigs I think. That was really nice touch and thank you for fans. 

I had no idea what to expect, but this will be a good gig. So I was told by friends of mine. And right they were! Mesh sounds really good on stage and they have charisma needed to create magical experience for the audience. The band also seemed to be on a good mood on the stage and radiated happiness. You really could see they love what they are doing and that is really important. Oh wow, what to say? A magical night! Had an honour of meeting so nice people from around the world that made it even more special. Will I go see them live again? For sure!

Another Manic Episode

Hi folks!

Now that I somehow managed to recover from the weekend, it is just right time to tell you of it. And it was another manic episode in a good way.

On saturday, I went to see Solar Fake gig at On The Rocks. Arrived really early, but there were already some people at the club. First live act of the night was Ten After Dawn, a local band. This was first time I've seen them live and didn't know what to expect and that's good thing if you ask me. I got only good things to say of this! It was really good way to kick the night off. Band sounded good live. Good melodies, enough boom to make you dance and Teemu's vocals were clear. What more can you hope from a band? Of course the one maniac! And again it was the keyboard player. What is it with these guys? If I do get a chance to see Ten After Dawn live again, will certainly grab it. I recommend this band to all who like their melodies sweet with enough kick to make you dance.

Next up Solar Fake. I had high expectations for this gig and they were fulfilled. And maybe bit even more. Time really flew by with both of these live sets and way too soon they were over. And yes, here we have another keyboard maniac. I kept thinking to myself how sore his neck is after that show and how on earth he manage not to tip keyboard over. I guess that is something you call professionalism.

Here we have a blend of charismatic band members together with really sweet melodies that create magic. Sven has a good voice and charisma and Andre is a ball of energy. On stage they perfectly complete eachother and create magic. All it takes is those two guys to put on a show. Will definetly goto another gig. As said, melodies together with charisma and energy is winning combination. The place did get nicely crowded when SF started and it was good to see this kind of music does pull crowd over here in the land of all things guitar and metal. Only thing I missed was the Editor's cover Papillon, but that's only a small thing. And that is if I gotta find something negative of the evening. Otherwise setlist was to my liking. Perhaps too since it was first time I saw them live. But still, oh what a night!

I am experiencing a writer's block while writing this, so I'm gonna cut this short and prepare for work.

Clubife Hardstyle Icons 1 Noisecontrollers & Day-Mar (aka Darkness vs Light aural battle)

Hi guys!

Long time no see, sorry for that. Been too busy with school and the Club Interface project, but now is the time to look back last night and tell my views of the party. But first I need to get some coffee...

ahhh much better

I saw the Devil in Helsinki rapped Tricky in Christiansands, but this time we saw Queen Of Darkness herself: Day-Mar. She is one of the leading ladies of the whole hardcore scene and rightfully so. Tehcnically she is really good and also true to her sound. And I like her own music too. I knew she might go bit hard for my liking, but gotta admit I was wrong. Or my taste has evolved again.

Sadly I missed the first set, but was there on the beginning of the epic dj battle. When you put up a b2b2b2b2b2b set, Proteus / Sasha F / Djane J7 / Waily / Neon / Galrav, it raises eyebrow at least, Worst case scenario was similar to Swedish Chef's cooking, but I was totally wrong. This set really ROCKED! All individuals have their distinctive sound and this got them a bit out of their comfort zone I think, eventhough they did not compromise that much. None of them had time to build as they would on individual sets, but they still kept the structure of the set working well together.

When you put german hard trance, euproric hardstyle, rawstyle, hard dance and bit of hardcore in the blender, this set is what comes out. Flows really well and surprisingly so. Also it shows how close knit all these genres are and how there are similar sounds in them, One of the key element in all of them is the energy level. This was educational, if you ask me, as to show how you can blend genres together in an interesting and ass-kicking way. Well done!

Next up Second Level. I gotta be honest, eventhough I hate saying negative things, but this was a set at the wrong place at the wrong time. But the kids loved it. It was too big change of style in this part on night and still edm doesn't have a place in harder styles parties, especially at prime time. This might've worked as opening of the night, but playing edm in the middle of hard dance and hardstyle set. It was time for me to go sit and take a break. As said, this is only my humble opinion and I don't like edm/big room/electro house at all, it makes me run out of the venue holding my ears, because to my ears it is just commercial crap. But hey, most of the audience kept dancing and that is the main thing.

Noisecontrollers played excatly what you could expect from him. Melodic, euphoric hardstyle and it rocked. Nice melodies always work for me, I'm sucker from them. His selection was spot-on for the time of the night and he really rocked the crowd to the 7th Heaven. Dancefloor was really packed and rocking as it was end of the world as we know it. He also has his constant songs he plays everytime and some might've been heard too many times to some people, but they still suited the set. And Source Code Of Creation is still helluva banger. Also he played tonight, that he played in every set I've heard of him. Still, it's good track.

Next darkness with white dreadlocks lands on the stage. It is time time release the beauty of darkness and fast beats. Day-Mar in da house! I gotta give it to her, she built the set like a true pro. Starting with mainstream melodic hardcore before releasing full assault of hard beats. This really worked well and kept audience dancing. When she moved to more typical sound of her, some people didn't get it. Fair enough, her industrial side is harsh and rough, since it doesn't focus on melody as mainstream does, and this was bit tough for me. But when she moved onto uptempo, yes yes yes! This set really showed who were her fans and they were dedicated bunch. Screaming we want more for long time after she finished, and that I don't remember seeing in this scale before.

Gotta admit she drained at least me out of all energy but I sure was happy she did that :)

Dominated and mutilated AKA Dominator 2016 report

Hi all!

Just back from Netherlands and from Dominator, the annual ritual of slaughter. And at least it is slaughter to one's feet for sure. Here is my report of the event.

First up, somehow get to Eindhoven. It is always nice to try to get to someplace in a foreign country where the announcements are only in foreign language. If you are going from Amsterdam, you have to change train in Utrecht. Other option is to take party bus, which is really handy, or goto Eindhoven and book a hotel there, like I did. That was indeed a good option.

Next choice is do you take touringcar or shuttlebus. I took the latter, since it was cheaper. It was quite easy to find the stop, since there are signs to it, but never found any information whrere it left. Luckily I found the info on event page and fellow travellers told me where to go. Warning at this point, when you goto Dominator, shuttlebus leaves you in the middle of nowhere and you gotta walk from there to the site. That took about 30 mins. Luckily when I left, shuttle bus stop had moved next to the site. Yay! I couldn't have make it to the original stop...

I managed to get in really fast and the locker system is awesome! You got a pin code and locker number, no key which could be lost easily. This was the case, if you paid for the locker in advance. And I do recommend this, it works like a charm. You can goto the locker as many times as you want and when you want, so it is much better system than cloackroom. That is next to the entrance, so the location is good too :)

Next up: stages and a map. The area is HUGE, and I do mean HUGE. And so are two stages that were outside: main stage and the hardstyle arena (Sands Of Slaughter). I've never seen so big stages in my life and they were cool. The whole look of Dominator is coordinated as whole experience, so it felt like you were in a amusement park of hardcore or in a different country. All was rusty and ragged, which worked well and suited the whole experience well. Main stage's volume was good and the sound was pure (wear earplugs!), After the wow-effect of main stage, I started my journey into the different areas and that took time. The area is big. There were only 8 stages all over the beach. Most of them were tents that were like saunas, there were only 2 outdoor arenas, the biggest ones.

All stages were really nice and suited each arena and the whole experience well. It did take quite awhile to walk from the main stage to the other end of the area, where they had hidden frenchcore tent. That was full up to it's capacity and no way to get into. And after I managed to get into the tent to check out Speedfreak vs Le Bask, it was hotter than sauna, so I had to leave quite quickly. Damn. And as for Dr. Peacock, no way Jose to get into the tent, Sector 79 tent was easiest to get into since it was sadly 2/3 full at best. Shame really, since they got smashing djs there such as Day Mar vs. Negative A and Repix, who played the best set of the festival. He was just radiating enthusiasm and positive energy that was impossible to resist. Also it was good to see an arena for new talent! We really need those more if you ask me. Without them, the whole thing will wither.

Other positive surprises were the beach side, where you could goto chill out and sit. You always found a place to sit and that is really rare. Also you had a LOT of choices on food, eventhough everything was expensive as one can expect from a festival. One could also go swimming or take a ride at couple of rides. And you got free sun lotion :) As for free water, only option was to fill your bottle at toilet area.

When you got 8 arenas it is impossible to choose where to go. I wish I had spend more time at Sands Of Slaughter (hardstyle arena) since that one really was rocking. The stage was built in water and people on the opposite beach and water were going nuts. Beach (and some people in water) dancing the day away was quite a sight.Main arena had your typical big players from Most Wanted agency as always with Art Of Dance. Korsakoff played good set, the sound you can expect from her. Destructive Tendencies also rocked really well. As for Outblast vs Evil Activities it was same set all over again, both playing their biggest tracks, you've heard on their previous sets together. That was bit of a bore, but some liked it, so fair enough. Furyan's set also was disappointment. It felt like he was just playing requested songs one after other. There was just no structure in his set.

End show was full for flame, lasers and fireworks and that was goodie, eventhough Furyan's set was well, meh. Alltogether Dominator is one festival you just have to experience for yourself to see what it is all about!

Newsflash!

Hi guys!

Sorry I've been so quiet lately, I've had some health issues and the Interface project has kept me too busy to update this blog. But during the weekend I'll work on string on album reviews and let's kick of with quite a news!

MAD DOG PRESENTS: DOGFIGHT RECORDS

​News of this proportion is out of this world!
Hardcore superstar Mad Dog has worked in absolute secrecy on the next step in his impressive career.
After all the successes, countless hits and performances on all the major stages, Filippo Calcagni needed a new challenge in life.
After he started talking with industry leading artists such as AniMe, Unexist and the extremely talented Tears of Fury, it was clear they all had the same ideas and future vision.
A new record label under the name DOGFIGHT was the answer to the enormous creative hunger.
All artists will fuel the labels engine with their new music. Operational Mad Dog will be responsible for the A&R, signing of new talent and will be the labels mentor for those who need music production guidance. 
For the expertise on marketing strategies and professional artist management DOGFIGHT started a collaboration with the industry leading Most Wanted DJ Agency.
With a memorable view at the past, all the artists looks eager towards their prosperous future.
Filled with pride they present the hardcore label of tomorrow: DOGFIGHT!

And on the party side:

Harder.fi Keelhaul Tickets only 5€ and it is at Wäiski restaurant Boat in Hakaniemi

21-03

Djs:

xl8r vs Decion

JKA vs Yaya

Camfer vs Andy F

Xelfer vs Ozma

Stone Cold vs Acidrocker

Release Of The Free For Downloading Compilation 'swedish electro vol 4 / the unsigned'

if you have a band or you are a solo artist (from Sweden) you don't have a contract with a record label (you never had) and you want to take part in our upcoming compilation 'swedish electro vol 4/the unsigned' send an email at

electrnik@hotmail.com
spread the news!!

the compilation will be out on Saturday July 14th at :
21:00 (Athens)
20:00 (Stockholm)
19:00 (London)

Odysseia loudest summer cruise

Saturday 13.08.2016 @ M/S Emma Helsinki

Proteus Birthday Party!

Tervetuloa nauttimaan lämpimästä kesäisestä iltapäivästä ja upeasta auringonlaskusta tutussa seurassa risteilyalus M/S Emmalle lauantaina 13. elokuuta! Suomen ensimmäinen puhtaasti energiseen ja rankempaan musiikkiin pyhitetty bileristeily on täällä! Risteilemme Helsingin kauniin saariston maisemissa upealla bileristeilyalus M/S Emmalla ja samalla juhlistamme Proteuksen 39-vuotis syntymäpäivää! 

Risteilyliput tulevat myyntiin maanantaina 25. huhtikuuta klo 09:00 ja lippuja on myynnissä vain rajoitettu 200 kappaletta. Risteily tullaan varmuudella myymään aikaisessa vaiheessa loppuun, jotensuosittelemme hankkimaan liput nopeasti!


⦿◉ ODYSSEIA - The Loudest Summer Cruise ◉⦿

⦿◉ Proteus Birthday Party ◉⦿


✪ EL CAPITANOS ON BOARD:

PROTEUS (Clublife / Kosmos Festival)
www.facebook.com/proteusfinland

WAILY (Mindcore / Rawzone)
www.facebook.com/WailyHardcore

DJANE J7 (Rawstyle & Hardcore set)
www.facebook.com/DjaneJ7

NEON (Säde)
www.mixcrate.com/djneon2015

ZERATHEP (Mindcore / Clublife)
www.facebook.com/ZerathepDJ

MASTATRON (Jayvee / Teemu Carbon Based)
www.facebook.com/mastatron



✪ INFO:

M/S Emma, Kauppatori / Linnalaituri Helsinki
Lauantai/Saturday 13.08.2016
Ikäraja/Age limit: K-18

Pääsy laivaan/entry to boat: klo 16:30
Lähtö/departs: klo 17:00
Paluu/returns: klo 22:00

✪ TICKETS:

✰ Limited 200 tickets only!

● buy tickets here: http://bit.ly/1pxJvvG
● price 25e

Clublife presents...

NOISECONTROLLERS (NCBM / NL)

DAY-MAR (Masters Of Hardcore / NL)

10.09.16 @ The Circus Helsinki

Hardstyle Icons Part I ◇ Noisecontrollers

✪ TICKETS - LIPPUPALVELU / TICKETMASTER ✪

Buy tickets here: http://bit.ly/29B8Diz

All ticket prices includes 2,5e service fees !

★ Early Bird 18e (including 2,5e) - limited amount
★ Regular 22,5e (including 2,5e) 
★ VIP 32,5e (including 2,5e) - limited amount

VIP ticket includes:
- VIP entrance line.
- 2nd floor own VIP area.
- 2nd floor bar to use only for VIP persons.
- 2nd floor own toilets + smoking room.
- 2nd floor views directly to the stage.
- 2nd floor access only for VIP persons.

This fall Dirty Workz 10 Year Anniversary World Tour lands in the heart of Helsinki together with 12 Year Club Fury.

Bringing you an exclusive roster of the labels biggest artists and Finnish supports. Fury and Dirty Workz, one night only.

Dirty Workz Artists:

DJ ISAAC (NL)
www.facebook.com/djisaac

CYBER (SUI)
www.facebook.com/DJCyberMusic

MC DL (NL) - Host
www.facebook.com/MCDL.NL

RIIHO & DIGITAL MINDZ (FIN)
www.facebook.com/MrRiiho
www.facebook.com/digitalmindzmedia

Club Fury Residents:

GALRAV & EFIALTES (FIN)
www.facebook.com/galrav
www.facebook.com/efialtesdj

+ more to come!

Tickets: 
from 27,50 €
http://www.ticketmaster.fi/event/fury-presents-dirty-workz-take-over-lippuja/181885

24.09.2016
22:00-04:00
Nosturi 
Telakkakatu 8 00150 HKI

Heatwave interview and review

Hi all!

It's weekend finally, yay! So to start the weekend neatly, I'll bring you two things: Interview with Heatwave and review of his latest album

INTERVIEW WITH MARKUS SPILLNER, WHO HAS LAUNCHED THE PROJECT HEATWAVE TOGETHER WITH RICK TURNER

1. How did HEATWAVE get started?

I MET RICK SHORTLY AFTER HIS CRASH INTO THIS CENTURY. HE WAS SITTING AT THE COUNTER OF MY MOST FAVOURITE PUB. WE CAME QUICKLY INTO CONVERSATION. THE MATTER OF FACT THAT I WAS WORKING AS A MUSIC PRODUCER FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS TURNED ON RICKS INTERESTS FOR THE MUSIC OF OUR DECADE, IN THE BEGINNING WE MET ONCE IN A WHILE IN MY LOCAL STUDIO. RICK WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE HANDLING AND THE STATE OF ART ACCORDING THE TECHNOLOGY ;-)

2. It really has that 80's feel to it and the visuals really suit it well. Why this synthpop genre?

I AM A BIG FAN OF THE 80S MUSIC AND RICK WAS ALSO THRILLED VERY FAST, WE DECIDED TO KEEP THE SPIRIT ALIVE USING SOUNDS OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE TO CREATE OUR OWN INTERPRETATION.

3. What was the first album you bought and what was the most influental one?

I THINK THE FIRST VINYL I BOUGHT WAS “MOTI SPECIAL (COLD DAYS HOT NIGHTS)”. FURTHER I WAS FOR SURE STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY MANY OTHER DIFFERENT ARTISTS, GENRES AND DECADES OF TIME.

4. There might be some people who haven't heard of you yet, how would you describe your sound for them?

HEATWAVE IS OUR ATTEMPT TO COMBINE A MUSICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE WITH A VISUAL AND ACOUSTIC HARMONIC DRIVE TO EXPERIENCE ALL SENSES

5. What is your equipment of choice?

WHEN RICK GOT HERE, FROM THE FUTURE, HE WASN´T ALLOWED TO TAKE A LOT OF BAGGAGE ON THE TRIP. SO HE HAD TO USE THE OLD FASHIONED MUSIC INSTRUMENTS OF "THIS TIME" .. AT FIRST HE HAD TO GET USED TO IT, SINCE HE WASN´T USED TO USING HIS HANDS TO CREATE MUSIC..., BUT AS SOON AS HE GOT THE HANG OF IT.. HE STARTED LIKING THE, IN HIS EYES, ANTIQUE MACHINES.. HIS FAVOURITES ARE: ROLAND JUNO 60, SH-101, TR-707, KORG MONO/POLY & DW-6000, ETC....

6. How long have you been making music?

I HAVE BEEN PRODUCING ELECTRONIC MUSIC FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. RICK JUST ENTERED THE WORLD OF MUSIC PRODUCTION / SOUND DESIGN WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THIS CENTURY.

7.What got you into making music in the first place?

WE LIKED TO MESS AROUND WITH MANY DIFFERENT STUDIO DEVICES AND TRIED TO BRING THESE SOUNDS INTO CATCHY MELODIES OR RHYTHMS AND ALSO VERY CREATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.

8. You have your own Bandcamp site. How has Bandcamp etc changed the game from commercial viewpoint? Are record labels becoming obsolete?

AS I MENTIONED BEFORE I HAD SEVERAL RELEASES WITH DIFFERENT OTHER PROJECTS. THESE WERE ALWAYS RELEASED ON SMALL LABELS THAT ONLY BROUGHT LITTLE ATTENTION ON THESE PROJECTS. UNFORTUNATELY I THINK MANY SMALLER LABELS ARE UNABLE TO BUILD UP ARTIST.S.. OR JUST DONT WANT TO SUPPORT THEM THAT MUCH ... THEREFOR BANDCAMP IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE. WE ARE ALWAYS INFORMED ON OUR SALES AND ON OUR “MARKETING ACTIVITIES”.

9. How easy is it these days to get noticed as independent artist?

IT'S NOT EASY! ;-) VARIOUS ONLINE NETWORKS HELP US TO HAVE A BETTER OUTREACH, BUT WE ARE ALWAYS ADDICTED TO THE GOODWILL OF LISTENERS IN ADDITION TO SUPPORT OR “ADVERTISE” OUR PROJECT.
A "LIKE" OR A "COMMENT" ON A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM LIKE FACEBOOK, SOUNDCLOUD, YOUTUBE OR BANDCAMP, EG ARE ALWAYS VERY NICE AND WELCOME, AS WELL BUT TO REACH A GREATER AUDIENCE WE NEED TO DEPEND ON THE PEOPLE. THEREFORE WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR EVERY ATTENTION, SUCH AS THIS INTERVIEW OR ALSO REVIEWS ON THE RELEVANT PAGES.

10. HEATWAVE really feels like you are passionate of that sound. What is it with that retro sound that people keep still making it and liking it so much?

I THINK I GOT STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY “THE REAL 80S” ALSO THE WHOLE GENERATION EVEN FILM DIRECTORS AND MANY OTHER ARTISTS GOT INFLUENCED BY THAT BIG HYPE WICH IS KIND OF OVER HONORED. IN THE STATE OF ART ELECTRONIC MUSIC SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF TIMELESS IN A CULTURAL WAY. NEVERTHELESS ALSO COMPARED TO MANY OTHER DIFFERENT THINGS THE SOUND OF THE EIGHTIES IS COMING BACK AGAIN IN SOME KIND OF A RENAISSANCE. THIS DECADE SUPLLIES A LOT OF CONTENT FOR MUSICIANS TO EXPRESS THEIR ART AND MUSICAL CREATIVITY.

11. How much has scene evolved since 80s?

MAINLY DUE TO MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES CONCERNING THE TECHNICAL STATE OF ART AND INFLUENCES FROM OTHER MUSICAL DIRECTIONS, MUSIC TODAY IS “EASIER” TO PRODUCE USING MODERN DAWs.

12. Did you think of HEATWAVE as complete concept because it really feels like you knew the graphics and sound from the beginning?

YES; HEATWAVE DOES HAVE A CONCEPT. THE IDEA AND THE RELATED STORY IS ALMOST THE FRAMEWORK FOR WICH IT STANDS. WE HAVE TRIED TO FOLLOW A MUSICAL AND GRAPHIC “STORYLINE” THROUGH THE WHOLE FIRST ALBUM (BACK FROM THE FUTURE). WE STILL KEEP FOLLOWING LIKE YOU SHOULD...

13. Where can we hear and buy your music?

THE MAIN DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL IS OUR BANDCAMP PAGE:

https://heatwave-official.bandcamp.com
YOU WILL FIND FURTHER RELATED LINKS TO OTHER NETWORKS ON OUR SITE.

14. What are your plans for the future?

RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING ON A NEW ALBUM AND SOMEMORE RELEASES COMING OUT FOR YOU SOON. IN THE DISTANT FUTURE WE ARE ALSO PLANING TO PERFORM OUR MUSIC ON STAGE AS WELL ...;-)

You can buy the album from Bandcamp and also listen to the clips. Don't just take my word for it

Okay, so time for the review. I admit, I am not too familiar with this synthwave music, except that I like some of it, and as for Heatwave, I do like it, I even played it on the podcast (You can find that on Soundcloud/Mixcrate/Mixcloud under name club interface).

Below The Line is the opener and sets the mood for the album well. What we got here is something that to me 80's revival album made with modern methods with pinch of Kraftwerk thrown in the mix. Especially in the opener it had something Kraftwerkian in it. 10 tracks is just right length for this kind of album, it keeps it solid package. First two tracks would work on synthwave dancefloors really well, I'm sure of it.

Driftmore slows things down to mid-tempo and it is not a bad thing at all to have a breather, Ancient eyes picks the tempo back to dancefloor and that has some modernish sound thrown in foor good effect. It sounds retrofuturistic like the whole album does.

The album keeps changing from dancefloor ones to more midtempo ones which is good and suits it perfectly. As said, this is bit new genre for me and this is almost my introduction for it. I like the melodies, they are simple but work that way. It doesn't sound too stuffed like some music does. Simplistic expression is key element on this album. That reminds me bit of legendary Carpenter themes. Both have that hypnotic element made with simple melodies. Some of the songs could very well be on a scifi movie soundtrack and The Chase especially reminds me of Carpenter's horror themes.

To sum my feelings of the album, it is very well produced. Heatwave really know what they are doing and how it should be done. They also know their strengths well, melodies, and keep things varied through the album so you keep your ear on it. I recommend this to all, who like synthmusic with retrovibe. Well done!

MKSN Interview

Hi folks!

This is an interview that has been coming a long time. It got lost in my message pile but finally it is here. I give you MKSN! As always the finnish version is below

1.   Letäs start with House Of Hard music who had big event with Meccano Twins. How Did HOHM get started?

Let's make it clear that HOHM is Riina's project and she leads it. A lot of people ask me for gigs and all things of HOHM, but Riina is the one who makes the decisions. All the credit goes to her for the events. My part in HOHM is graphics, videos and communication with agencies. I came to HOHM in 2012 when we held our first party at Turku.

2. How did you get started on djing and promoting?

It all got started when my big brother talked me into going to a party at Helsinki in 2010. I ended up for a pre-party in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, and got to know Miika (Spart, Finland Gabber Promotions), thank you Miika for the pre-party :D The event we went to was Mindscore's epic Dione/Ruffneck night, where the sound volume almost tore pants to pieces. During Proteus vd Criss set I decided that I too want to be a core dj and fast forward 3 months I bought dj gear at home. In promoting I've been involved already when I lived in Kokkola. When Riina and I started dating, it was natural to also get involved with HOHM.

3. How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn't heard you play?

My set are mainly mainstream hardcore, melodic one usually. Lately I've been adding frenchcore too. My djing must be boring to watch, but I concentrate more on the djing than raving. Sometimes I do play back 2 back hardstyle sets with other djs. It is nice change,

4. How has the running a club changed over the years?

I don't think I've been involved long enough. I can't really answer to that. Maybe mainly to my mind springs that you should have a foreign guest every time. And people are more interested in visuals than before.

5. How do you see borders between genres get thinner?

In music there should be no borders. It is only good thing that something new comes to a genre and it doesn't get jammed.

6. What sort of equiptment you use on gigs?

I can play with anything else but with turntables. On the other hand I dunno, never got a chance to try them. At home I got 2X cdj-850 and djm-900nxs and I'm dreaming of getting third cd player

7. What is your take on digitalsim? Has djing lost something with it or has it brought new to djing?

Both good and bad. Good thing is you can build the set to be one hour mash-up for example. Bad thing is that basic djing skills are left bit behind. I think small errors are part of the set, that's the idea of live set. It is boring to listen to laptop sets at club, it is basicly same as playing a hour set from Soundcloud.

8. What is the thing that keeps you going?

After many parties I've been ready to call it quits. You have done a helluva lot of everything for the party and then some says it's in the wrong city or why you guys have rawstyle only for an hour... We've spent all our money on that evening and barely make it even. Mut luckily at Turku the party poeple is the reason you keep on pushing. Thank you all Turku people who have come to the parties and have supported us.

I still want to thank everybody who ever has offerd me a gig, I've only been in the scene for 5 years but gotten gigs at Monday Bar, Estonia's festival, at Oulu ug party Venue in Helsinki, Y 31, Circus and nightclubs at Turku. Big thank you Riina for all the years and hopefully I can keep doing this for a long time!

In Finnish

1. aloitetaan vaikka puhumalla House Of Hard Musicilla, jolla on tulossa iso tapahtuma, jossa esiintyy Meccano Twins. Mistä HOHM sai alkunsa?

2. Miten innostuit dj/promoottoritouhusta?

3. Miten kuvailisit soundiasi jollekulle, joka ei ole kuullut sinun soittavan?

4. Miten paljon klubin pyörittäminen on muuttunut vuosien saatossa?

5. Miten näet genrerajojen hälventymisen?

6. Millä laitteistolla soitat keikat?

7. Mikä on suhtautumisesi digitalisoitumiseen? Onko dj-hommasta kadonnut osa vai onko tilalle tullut uusi ulottuvuus?

8. Mikä on se syy, mikä jaksaa painamaan tätä duunia?

1. Tehdään heti ensimmäisenä selväksi se, että hohm on riinan lapsi ja riina sitä johtaa. Monet kysyvät multa keikkaslotteja ja kaikkea hohmista, mutta riina päättää niistä. Kaikki kunnia siis riinalle tapahtumista. Mun osa vastuualueeks hohmissa on noussut grafiikat, videot ja agentuurien välinen asiointi. Itse tulin hohmiin mukaan 2012 kun pidettiin ekat bileet turussa.

2. Kaikki alko siitä kun isoveljeni houkutteli mut lähtemään helsinkiin bileisiin 2010. Päädyin sitten etkoileen jonnekkin ihme mökkiin keskellä ei mitään, siellä tutustuin miikaan (sparf) kiitoksen miikalle niistä etkoista :D Bileet mihin mentiin oli mindcoren eeppinen dione/ruffneck ilta jossa pa repi melkeen housutki päältä. Proteus vs criss setin aikana päätin että mä haluun kans olla core dj ja siitä 3kk eteenpäin ja mulla oli kotona laitteet. Promotouhuissa olin ollut mukana jo kun kokkolassa vielä asuin. Kun alettiin riinan kanssa seurusteleen niin luontevasti aloin touhuamaan myös hohmin parissa.

3. Settini koostuu pääasiassa mainstream coresta, melodisesta yleensä. Nykyisin myös enemmän frenchcorea.. Esiintyminen on varmaan aika tylsän näköistä, mutta keskityn enemmän siihen soittamiseen enkä riehumiseen. Styleä tulee soiteltua joskus b2b setteinä jonku kanssa. Mukavaa vaihtelua.

4. En usko että olen tarpeeksi kauan ollut mukana touhuissa. En osaa vastata oikeen. Ehkä päällimmäisenä mieleen tulee se, että nykyään pitäisi aina olla ulkkari. Ja että jengiä kiinnostaa nykyään enemmän visuaalinen puoli.

5. Musiikissa ei pitäis olla rajoja. Ihan hyvä vaan että tulee jotain uutta skeneen eikä kaikki junnaa paikoillaan.

6. Keikat onnistuu kaikilla muilla paitsi levareilla. Tai en tiedä, en ole päässyt missään koittamaan. Kotoa löytyy 2x cdj-850 ja djm-900nxs, haaveissa olis kolmas cdj.

7. Hyvä ja huono asia. Hyvää se että halutessa setin voi rakentaa pelkäksi tunnin mashupiksi vaikka. Huonoa se että perua dj taidot jää ehkä vähän taka-alalle. Mun mielestä setteihin kuulu pienet mokat, siinä se liven idea on. Tylsää kuunnella jotain läppärisettejä klubilla, sama ku laittais vaan soundcloudista tunnin setin pyörimään.

8. Monesti bileiden jälkeen oon ollut jo valmis heittämään hanskat tiskiin, oot tehny helvetisti kaikkea bileiden eteen ja sit joku valittaa että "väärä kaupunki" tai "miks rawia soi vaan 1h"... Kaikki rahat laitettu likoon iltaa varten ja just saadaan omat pois. Mutta onneksi turussa on ainakin sellainen bileporukka jonka takia näissä jaksaa olla mukana. Kiitos kaikille teille turkulaisille jotka on käyny tapahtumissa ja jaksanu tukea.

9. Haluan vielä kiittää kaikkia jotka on mulle keikkoja tarjonnut. 5 vuotta vasta ollut mukana skenessä mutta päässyt soittamaan monday barilla, virossa festareilla, oulussa ug:ssa, helsingin venuella, y31, circus ja turun yökerhot. Suurin kiitos Riinalle näistä vuosista, toivottavasti saan tehdä tätä vielä pitkään jatkossakin -MKSN

9. Kohtaan voi lisätä miikan vaasa ug:t

☺

Ja 2. Kohtaa että aloitin joskus 2008 soittamaan läppäriltä dubsteppiä ja d'n'b:tä MiksiN nimellä, 2010 vaihtu pelkkään coreen ja nimestä tuli nykyinen MKSN

Leviathan AKA Tellurian Interview (Cenobite Records)

Hi guys!

I am superproud to present yet another huge interview for you! This time it is the man behind the Cenobite records and needs no introduction. I present you:

Leviathan AKA Tellurian

How and when did you start? (As a DJ / As a producer) What was the impulse?

I started around 1986 with a few friends in a Hip-Hop Group called Digital Power (DP)
I collected all kinds of records and was obsessed with sampling & sound synthesis techniques
80ties computer game music inspired me to make my own with the first available music software in that time
I had lots of records that i listened and sometimes sampled but Mixing as a DJ I picked up years later


How did you get into hardcore?

Around 1992 We picked up some hardcore cassette tapes and listened to the them 
We liked the dark vibes and this made me interested to check out some of the first raves in Amsterdam 


You have released ep's on legendary label Mokum as Tellurian, could you tell us how this happened?

I went to the Mokum headquarters with a demo cassette in 1992 and met Fred Berkhout who was and still is the label manager , he liked it and asked me to create more tracks experimental  fast loud & hardcore without limitations
With My first release Mokum 5 as the result .




Whats Mokum Records biggest Hit ?

The biggest success of Mokum Records and hardcore history is Techno Head “i wanna Be a Hippy”

It started out as a underground dance-floor smasher and later re-released with a Radio Remix made by Flamman & Abraxas 

It reached number 1 in 12 different countries including Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland, and number 6 in the UK With a total of 1.3 Million Singles sold on CD & Vinyl this is the Biggest Hardcore hit of all times 
Plus you can add all compilation cd's the track got licenced on


What is your take on scene's evolution? It has changed quite a lot over the years and you've been in it a long time.

The world became much smaller with internet
The big festivals have many people from all over the world attending them
i respect what everyone is doing but cant help listening with a music producer ears and point of view 
I get bored pretty quick if there is no creativity and its only about the bass drum 
The audience is powerful , you can try to push a concept but they decide in the end what they like or not 



What made you start Cenobite records?

In 1996  I got the chance to start my own sub-label with Immortal Sound Productions I.S.P. 
I performed for them the years before on events like Digital Overdose , Immortality , and there main Hardcore concept “ Hellraiser (Ultimate Hardcore Dance Events) “

There events where like the best at that time with great Decorations , Projections , performing artist
Whats popular now on festivals ,they already had it back than
And they created the first Indoor festivals with many sub-styles
Hardcore / Gabber / Terror / Rave / Techno
Drum & Bass / BreakBeat / Trip Hop / Trance
Psy Trance / Techno / Oldstyle / Mellow
and some times live musicians



You have quite a few Hellraiser-inspired names and samples. Are you a fan of the movie series?And if yes, has those movies inspired you?

Cenobite Records was a official sub-label in partnership with I.S.P who organized The Hellraiser Events & Hellraiser Records 
Witch was basically the underground version of Thunderdome
So yes this inspired me to dig in to that and we even did official promotion for the Movie Release in the Netherlands





What got you started as Leviathan?

Because i started the Cenobite label i was also looking for a new project name.
Leviathan is one of the Cenobite's in the Hellraiser movie series  
besides that the Tellurian name was signed to Mokum Records
 


How much has record label side of things changed due digital releases?

We used to send people to the record shops to buy our music 
Now we send them to a digital shops and we also have our own portal www.cenobite.nl 
If people like our music enough that they actually buy it online is one of the the biggest compliment an artist or label can get and will inspire to produce more music
But the way i see it people are more in to dj mixes than albums or tracks
Its easy to make a online mix 
But i don't think my colleges and other labels will like it if i mix and give away there music for free public online 
Ive been a supporter for Mixcloud.com for some years a platform built for dj's & podcast , they pay music rights and its a great marketing tool and its free 


Will physical released become obsolete due digital outlets?

There will always be some people looking for vinyl and cd's 
Or maybe a shirt or USB stick 


You recently signed Rheeza to Cenobite records. So far she has released a remix of your track The New Generation. How did you discover her and what can we expect from her? and How would you describe Rheeza's sound?

Rheeza is a good friend and been around for quite some time
We played together on some events and will be playing a uptempo set on Ground Zero Festival 2016
I would describe her style as Fast & Filthy 
She's constantly working to improve her production skilzz 


And onto psycore scene, could you tell us of this genre? It is lesser-known form of hardcore.

Trancecore , Psycore or Acidcore 
Call it what you want but Cenobite listens to all
I think there are many tracks that could be categorized in that style and there is many other styles you can mix it with 
I really like dark melodies but also fast trancy riffs , break-beats off-course some acid synth sounds, there is so much you can explore , we try to make songs, a musical story with a beginning,middle part and End
We see Cenobite as a really wide range of styles concept , and music & sound as our playground.


You had quite memorable experience in Vaasa at Hard-O-Ween party few years back, how was that experience?
How did that gig happen?

I got invited by the Hardcore Finland Organization
They had some problems with authority putting pressure on the venue owners threatening them to give them a hard time if the party went on and there was also press coverage.
This resulted in 3 cancellations from the venues 
So Hardcore Finland decided to make it a private event on private property and pulled it of anyway
Big respect for that commitment & determination

Its a form of prejudiced / discrimination gabbers also know in Holland 


Thunderdome awards, why and what is this all about? I tried to google it, but didn't manage to find out more.

ID&T came up with the Thunderdome Awards 1998
In that time you had to sell 40.000 CD singles for a Gold Record Award in Holland ,  
The Thunderdome CD Compilations Series Sold over 3 Million copies worldwide all together but still there was no press coverage in any way because it was Gabber / Hardcore
So they decided to create the thunderdome awards there selfs and thank the artist for there music & efforts   

We received a special award from ID&T for our contribution in making the Thunderdome CD series sell over a three million (!) copies worldwide.

We are very proud in having made this achievement.

Not only is ID&T the biggest and most prestigious production company in Western Europe in contemporary dance music, but also the most straightforward in attempting to create and penetrate new markets within the global music scene.
Therefore ID&T proudly presents this award to "TELLURIAN"

Text from the award: "Due to your contribution and dedication, over 3 million copies of Thunderdome have been sold. 

If you compare scene in Netherlands to abroad, how different are they?

They might have a different clothing and dancing style 
It all comes down to the same thing 
Loving the Harder music Styles and having a great time with friends on the Dance Floor
In My opinion you don't have to dress like a gabber to be part of the scene , and in the beginning i liked the underground scene because you could dress and dance as you liked and just be you

Last but least, what future will hold for Cenobite Records and for you? Any news you could share with us?

Well you have to check the new release of Arjuna - 4 tracks
And Danytribe from Italy - 3 tracks
We got a Japanese release coming soon and a new release from Damian
Some new tracks from Leviathan also Philosopher and much more ... 
Great festivals coming up where we perform so check us there 
We also are celebrating our 20th year in the hardcore scene with Cenobite 
So expect release events "Machines In Motion" later this year.
Also we have Mokum / Cenobite Hardcore Showcase on ADE Amsterdam Dance Event 

Stay up to date on www.cenobite.nl

Cheers